mh light

[mattymalcolm]

i just bought a used odyssea fixture that has 2 150w mh and 4 t5's. The bulbs in it seem larger than my other 150 coralife bulb. Does anyone know anything about this. How do odyssea bulbs compare to others like xm or hamilton or coralvue? Also I need new ballast i seen a electronic ballast on ballastwis.com ($50) are these pretty much universal?
Thank you in advance

[Hydramatic]

Now, I could be wrong about this, but I believe the Odyssea MH bulbs are actually 175W(someone correct me if I'm wrong, please!)

I personally don't trust the Odyssea MH fixtures. Too much trial-and-error is involved with their product development. I've heard of people almost burning their houses down because of poor wiring in Odyssea MH fixtures, but then I've also seen some stores use them because they are easy on the wallet, and get the job done(if a little sub-par.) Their bulbs are not the best out there either, but once again, they are very inexpensive.

What I suggest is that you gut that fixture, and retrofit the whole thing with parts from other brands, like current or coralife. By doing that, you can get standard-wattage bulbs, a really nice reflector, a reliable set of internal electronics, and better quality light for your tank. At the end of the day you should have a very nice custom setup for a little less than one of the pre-made fixtures out there.

If you aren't good at electrical work, I'm sure there are some good people on this site that can help you out. If(by some bizarre stroke of fate) you don't find someone on here who can help out, ask one of your local fish store guys if they can do the work or if they know someone who can.

[mattymalcolm]

The actual bulb says 150w but it is a a different bulb that has to be purchased through odyssea (vender). Your idea may be the best thing for me because i can not find anyone that sells the 150w ballast. aquatraders have the bulb but their ballast start at 250w.

[JimD]

Try www.nanotuners.com and see if theres anything there that might help... Also, Im going to move this thread to the proper forum... Equipment and DIY....

[erikharrison]

Have you looked up the model? There should be some identifying markings...

[MissT]

I personally don't trust the Odyssea MH fixtures. Too much trial-and-error is involved with their product development. I've heard of people almost burning their houses down because of poor wiring in Odyssea MH fixtures

BINGO!!!!!

[cavipower1]

i heard the newer odyssea fixtures were ridded of all the problems the old ones had?

[Hydramatic]

Yes, I've also heard about this, but I still wouldn't trust them. I hate to be the guy who says this, but would you really want to be that ONE person who gets the special electrical fire edition? I'll trust my own, a professional, or a reputable company who offers a warranty's work over a 5-cent a day child laborer in Beijing. The engineering may be sound(it is a Coralife knockoff...), but the product is only as good as its assembler lets it be.

Like I've said, I run their latest-generation of Power Compact fixtures(which are still just a little below average, build quality-wise...), and they work good enough to last me until I get my MH's and T5s, but if you're going to be dropping the cash for Halides, spend a little extra for a brand that can actually be taken to court for burning your property down(not to mention better quality lighting for your Corals and such, the real issue at hand.)

Maybe if/when Odyssea provides contact information and a warranty, I would consider purchasing their higher-end fixtures...until then, I'll stick with Coralife, Current, JBJ, etc...

That's just my opinion though.